Charlotte Hornets vs. Sacramento Kings 10:05PM ET
When these teams met earlier this season, Charlotte recorded a (127-122) OT victory, when Kemba Walker poured in 39 points and Al Jefferson was patrolling the middle. Now, it’s time for a little West Coast payback for a Sacramento Kings team who is at last coming into their own.

Betting Trends
Despite that victory against the Knicks and the previous night at Orlando (a team who is struggling mightily), the Hornets enter this West Coast fray with just a recent 4-10 SU record. If Charlotte is again to record victory against the Kings, it may take yet another Herculean performance by Kemba Walker in this one, much like his 39 points back on November 23rd. For, Charlotte continues to play without Batum (toe), who is averaging 15 PPG, along with yet another interior stalwart, Cody Zeller (shoulder) and of course, Al Jefferson, who will continue to miss extended time. The fact that Charlotte has won only 5 road games all season is an indication that their playoff dreams may be far from reality.

Just the opposite is true for the Sacramento Kings, whose current 5-game winning streak is the longest in 11 years. With the Kings’ (108-97) victory Saturday night against the Indiana Pacers on this floor, Sacramento has now pushed themselves north of .500 at home and into the 8th spot of the Western Conference playoff queue. The Kings have recorded those 5 victories without Rudy Gay (heel), who has missed 2 straight games due to the injury. Demarcus Cousins, however, is clearly making up the slack. Cousins had a 48/13 night on Saturday in the victory vs. Indiana and has recorded averages of 33/14 in a 10-game streak, where he has double/doubles in each game. Clearly, he has focused on reaching the playoffs. His 33 PPG this month leads the NBA. Veteran NBA HC George Karl is pushing all the right buttons. That includes the buttons of PG Rondo, who enters this game with 2 consecutive triple/doubles.

Fueled by 127-122 OT revenge at Charlotte, a game in which they blew a 22 point 2nd half lead and buoyed by the 5-game winning streak and their ascent to the 8th spot in the NBA playoff queue, I believe Rondo and Cousins will lead the Kings to a double digit victory on their home court tonight. I invite you to put the NBA odds in your favor and join me in my NBA pick on the Sacramento Kings tonight.